D-30 Axle Shaft Removal

NOTE: At this point, you have an option.
You can skip this step, thus leaving the bearing and hub assembly attached to
the axle shaft. You can do a u-joint change in this configuration.
It is a little more clumsy and awkward, but none the less, it can be done.
Since I was actually going to swap my spare shafts in and overhaul the u-joints
on these shafts next weekend, I needed to remove the bearing and hub assembly so
they could be used on my spare shafts.

OK....this is probably the hardest part, but it sure isn't what
I would call a technical part....just good ol' grunt work. You need to
take the axle nut off. It can be done with an electric impact wrench (what
I am using in this pic), a pneumatic impact wrench, or a great big breaker
bar. You will need a 36mm six point socket. I picked up one rated
for impact wrenches at the local PepBoys auto parts store. It was
something like $10 or $12 if memory serves me. If the nut was torqued to
factory spec, it is sitting at 175 ft. lbs. I personally believe they end
up getting cranked on a bit tighter than that....but that is just my
opinion. Since my breaker bar isn't long enough (nor strong enough) to
give me great leverage, I borrowed my buddy's 12 VDC electric impact
wrench. Don't laugh, it really does do a pretty good job!

With the axle nut off, you have three more bolts to remove.
They are a 13mm twelve point bolt and hold the hub and bearing assembly onto the
steering knuckle. You can see me removing one of the bolts in the
above photo. When you put these back in, you will want to tighten them to
75 ft. lbs, per my '98 factory service manual. You should note that for
some reason, these bolts, as delivered from the factory, are REALLY torqued
down. I would suggest using a 1/2" drive ratchet on this so as to save
your 3/8" drive 12 point socket from breaking. If you have a clearance
problem getting to the bolts, you can turn the steering wheel a bit to offer a
better angle for the ratchet.

With the last three bolts now removed, grab the hub and bearing
assembly and carefully remove it from the steering knuckle. One of mine
was a bit tight, due to some surface rust, so I gently tap on it, just a bit,
with a small hammer. This was just the ticket to loosen it up. If
you find yourself in the situation where the axle shaft is coming right out with
the hub and bearing assembly, you can thread the axle nut back onto the shaft,
just flush with the end of the shaft. Gently tap it a couple of times with
a small hammer. This should allow the hub to disengage from the splines on
the axle shaft.

Almost there....just about got it done. The dust shield
comes off next. It is sandwiched between the steering knuckle and the hub
and bearing assembly. Make a mental note of which way the dust shield is
mounted. If other folks are somewhat like me, they have, at some time or
another, managed to put the thing on backwards. (Talk about feeling
stupid!)

At this point, CAREFULLY pull the axle shaft out of the axle
tube. There is a oil seal in there and you don't want to damage it, else
you will have diff fluid slowly leaking out of your axle tube (YUCK!). I
always support the axle shaft (one hand on the shaft end and the other right
next to the tube opening) while removing or installing it.

When you put your axle shaft back in the tube, the factory
service manual recommends that you grease the splines and the area on the shaft
where the oil seal rides.

You can see where the oil seal rides....it is the shiny surface
on the shaft. I am applying some synthetic grease to this area and will be
putting some on the splines as well. Try not to let the axle shaft slide
along the length of the tube when you put it in since the grease will obviously
work like a dirt magnet.

Just a couple of toque spec reminders (from the factory
manual). The axle nut is cranked up to 175 ft. lbs. The three 12
point bolts that hold the bearing and hub assembly in place are torqued to 75
ft. lbs. The caliper mounting bolts are a mere 11 ft. lbs.

For information on how to change the u-joint, now that you have
your axle shaft removed, click here.